Christmas Gift Ideas

I’m really, really broke this christmas so I thought I’d make presents for my little sisters this year. Any ideas on what I could make? (One is 12 and quite tomboyish and the other is 7 and pretty girly)

Make them personalized stationary and then buy an inexpensive pencil set to go with it.
If you have a scroll saw then make them a wooden puzzle. First draw your design, paint it, saw it, then touch up the paint on the edges. You can find images to fit their personality, ot create your own in photoshop maybe with a picture of them
You can make them a bird feeder set by basically preparing all of the pieces and making directions for them to put it together. Then they can paint them with their own design
If you have a tree big enough then gather some scrap wood from construction sites and build them a tree house. If the construction sites are fenced off then go when you see guys working and ask if you can have some of the scraps. They will gladly let you take them because it is less work for them to have you haul it away.
You can make jewelry. Go to your local thrift store and look for inexpensive jewelry. You can usually find beads and fake stones for less than a dollar.
Hope this helps and have fun!

One of my brothers has 2 toddlers and they don’t ever associate with his side of the family, his wife wants to do everything alone.

For the last 3 years I have given Toys R Us gift cards to them. We don’t get to see them at all, everyone leaves their gifts at my Mom’s and my brother picks up the gifts after Christmas. These kids don’t even know me…….. They don’t know I gave them anything and I never get any thanks at all……..

I don’t want to cause a problem but I don’t feel this is right. What do you think?????????

It really depends on you. Personally, I would keep giving the gifts if I had already been doing so up until this point. It’s always nice to get a thank you when you give something but is that the reason you give something? Not me. I give because I enjoy too not because I expect anything in return.

We never asked them to send any gifts at all. We have already celebrated Christmas and have prepared the kids that Santa came early this year. My parents are having trouble with the fact that my kids wont’ be opening anything Christmas day. So they decided to send a box of toys, and they are now telling me how much they spent on the postage. We are struggling financially right now, so One Christmas is all we are getting this year. WE chose to have our Christmas at my husbands family Christmas party. We are comfortable with the fact that "Santa" has come already. Why are my materialistic parents having such are hard time with this? My kids are young and don’t know the difference. Any advice, or support would be appriciated. Everytime my parents try to help us, they rub it in our face that we need their help and how much it is costing them. What is the point of having a family support system when the support system is constantly breaking you down…..?

your parents mean well and love and miss your kids even now that its christmas but to keep rubing the amount they spent on them is just wrong and hurtful to you and your husband if they continue doing this tell them to send no more toys or anything else you guys are trying and they need to be more support to your family

I have two boys 4,6 and a new born girl of only 10 days old. I want their crhistmas to be the best christmas ever.

isn’t there some friends or family you could ask to help you out?

i’m a single mom trying to get help for christmas for my kids there ages are 16 and 14

The Salvation Army can help the needy.

My mil is a nice enough lady, a little bit opinionated, but otherwise ok. The thing is that she buys the kids some really odd birthday and christmas gifts, and then questions us why we don’t give them to the kids to play with (our kids are 9 2.5, and 5years).
For example, last christmas my newborn got a dress up outfit, my not quite 2 year old got a bike, and my four year old got a makeup set! An actual adults set, not the kids type. This year, for my 2 yr old’s birthday, she bought him a basketball ring, a full size one!
It’s not that I don’t appreciate her gifts, I do. It’s just that she doesn’t seem to understand why the kids won’t, or can’t, play with them. We’ve tried explaining that they’re too young, but she tells us that she knows about child development, and that they are good ages for these presents! What can we say to her? With christmas approaching, she’s starting to talk about more outrageous presents, and I’m wondering what to say!

Lol, that’s really weird! Well, I would try all the other suggestions, wish lists, list of choices, etc.
If however she keeps doing it, try asking her to keep these toys (or at least some of them) at her place, for the kids to play with when they go over there. Then let her try and play adult sized basketball with a toddler, and help a newborn put on a dress ups outfit!
She’ll soon understand what you’ve been talking about then!
Hope this helps, good luck.

I have eight nieces and nephews under the age of 5. What are some cool gifts for Christmas this year.? They are in California, so I want to keep shipping costs down too. Any ideas?

Webkins. Everyone loves them.

I feel really sad about this.

Your grand kids love you because your YOU not because of the things you buy them! Just make it a point to sit down with them and tell them that You love them but this year Christmas is going to be more about family than things. And it will be fine! Cheer up if there good kids they will understand…with time

I have 2 nieces and 4 nephews ranging from age 8 to 17. What age is appropriate to stop buying them gifts as their aunt?

I understand where you’re coming from… however, I would say instead of giving a gift, give some time. Offer to cook dinner for all of them over Christmas break. Take them out to a movie. Give a homemade coupon book for "free dinner on Aunt You" or "free ride to the mall on Aunt You." Make a memory instead of giving a gift.

The first year may be a bit transititional, but in the long run, it will be fine.

I have one child and I spend less than $50 on birthday and Christmas. There’s also a rule in our house that at least one gift will be a book and one will be something that requires activity or imagination. I also have a rule that toys are not supposed to be battery operated,light up, make noise that’s the kids job.